What do you do out here in the outback?

My reply to this recurring question from the 10,000 or so travellers who pass through Menindee each year is, I work in a studio on the edge of the lake.

About twelve years ago we came out west on a holiday for three weeks, loved the big blue skies, red dirt, and bought a tin shed on Menindee Lake.

We rented out our house in the Blue Mountains and ended up staying here to enjoy the big weather and new people with a red kelpie, a nervous foxy and two commanding Russian blue cats.

I often sit gazing at the lake reflecting on its constant change and how weather in Queensland and northern NSW affect what I look at.

I find evidence of people and creatures in this landscape. Traces of echidnas and dragons, as well as kangaroos and emus can still be found imprinted over the tyre tracks of the dirt bikes and 4-wheel drives. Weathered bottle tops and remnant ropes pattern the rippled mineral sands. Roots of sedge, dried wild turnip and layers of gum leaves cover degraded plastic bags. I collect all of these, and with the colours and textures of the landscape imprinted on my brain I create my organic network pieces.

Netmail is fifteen small works telling stories of the people and the landscape accompanied by a book of text, and these twopieces tell yet another story about the diverse surroundings in which I live.

Last week I created an artist book while listening to the fire reports in the Blue Mountains. To put it into the moment I burnt the edges of the pages and included text about the environment, the role of the middle class in modern Australia, and notes on the original peoples of the Darling River.

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Comments

Annette Minchin

Thank you for sending the blog onto destinations afar. I thought you'd like to know that Uncle Charlie as able to add a comment to the book as he was passing through en route to Tibooburra. love Annette

Marie Standen

Hi Annette and John.
The sirens are silent today, the sky promises rain but is not delivering - yet. Everyone knows so many people who have lost all -not just their homes. It is as though they have lost a limb or just all they ever knew. So many memories gone and some they thought they has forgotten float back. Most just need to talk or just walk beside a friend.
The Disaster Relief Centre has been wonderfulhelping people to get replacement documents back quickly. I have even heard praise for the insurance companies.
Hope is returning.
What you have done Annette is so 'Annette', finding art and a future in everything.
God bless you and all your outback friends

Peter

Hi Annette and John
I can hear the sirens out on the highway right now, so there is still a threat, The forecast is for some rain. The sooner the better. It is dead dry here and has been since June (virtually)
Annette, what a wonderful thing to do. You have opened up a window for people, many of whom had no idea of life out west.
I have sent it on to some friends and rels. and already have very positive feedback.
Most of the locals seem to be responding to the Blue Mountains Mayoral Appeal.
He has been quite outstanding.
Keep up the good work.
With lots of love, Peter.